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How long do you generally keep a phone?


  • Total voters
    419
It would be great if I could keep my 12 pro max for 5 years. I always get tempted well before then. I still have a 6s+, but stopped using it as my phone for year’s now.
 
OG
3G
4
4S
6
6S+
X
XR
11
12 Pro Max

I try and keep my phones for as long as I can unless I either have issues with them or the upgrade is a total overhaul worth the upgrade.

OG-3G was because I had a jailbroken US import original and the inclusion of 3G was worth it.

3G-4 was because the 4 was a complete game changer with its design/camera/speed

4-4S was because I dropped the 4 and damaged the WiFi antenna meaning I had to be sat on top of the router for it to work.

4S-6 4S battery was old and tired and would randomly turn off when it got below 50% and the 6 was a full on new design worth upgrading too.

6-6S+ Bendgate.

6S+ - X The 6S+ was having issues and I lost my temper with it and smashed it (a poor decision that I instantly regretted)

X-XR PWM OLED headaches.

XR-11 iOS13 induced signal issues on the o2 network only acknowledged by Apple & o2 and fixed with a software update 5 months after I upgraded, XR sold to my friend and he loves it.

11-12 Pro Max Again signal issues with the o2 network, their transmitters don’t seem to play well with intel modem iPhones also battery dropped to 85% capacity very quickly and wasn’t lasting as long (Pre 14.5 recalibration) still own this phone as a backup to the 12 Pro Max if the PWM headaches come back but for now with the accessibility options I seem to have got the screen setup to the point where it’s just a mild irritation after a long usage period. Qualcomm modem absolutely wipes the floor with the intel modem in the 11 signal is stronger and faster everywhere so far.
 
My model history:

2012: iPhone 4s
2013: iPhone 5
2014: Galaxy S4
2014: iPhone 5s
2015: iPhone 6
2015: iPhone 6s
2016: Moto X Play
2017: Galaxy S8
2018: iPhone X
2019: Galaxy M30
2019: ROG Phone II
2020: Galaxy S20 Plus
2021: Galaxy M51

I have changed my phones a lot over the years, and lately got a little tired of paying too much money for devices I do not intend to keep for long (or which break too easily shortly after expiration of the warranty, which was the case of the iPhone X, the ROG Phone II and the S20 Plus).

My current one is a cheap Galaxy M51, which is impressing me with its huge 7000 mAh battery. And it has a headphone jack, which is great and very convenient.
 
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I usually change every 2 years unless something I really want is released in between and then a family member gets my old phone.

Will probably be keeping my 12 mini until it dies though now that it does everything I need/want and with monthly Apple Care it’s effectively covered for life.
 
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I've had my XR since it was launched, which I think is my record - I think it will be three years in October???

It's gonna be really hard to resist the 13 Mini, if they've managed to improve its battery life....
 
I try to go at least 3 years, but generally don't upgrade unless there's something wrong with my current unit.
 
Usually upgrade every year but plan on keeping my 12 pro max 2 years. Unless the 13 has under screen Fingerprint reader. If it does I’ll get the 13
 
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Until the battery dies degrades to the point where it gets annoying. So like 4-5 years. I've only owned two smartphones: iPhone 4s and iPhone 7. Want to upgrade to a 13 Max this fall if it gets a 120hz display, but my 7 is still getting 6-7 hours of battery after almost 5 years of heavy use and can easily go for 1-2 more years.
 
My wife basically keeps every phone till it’s falling apart and then she gets whatever I have at that time and I get an upgrade
 
Usually upgrade every year but plan on keeping my 12 pro max 2 years. Unless the 13 has under screen Fingerprint reader. If it does I’ll get the 13

I’m keeping my 12 Pro Max until next year. I have no issues with putting in my passcode to unlock my phone. I’m using a jailbreak tweak that let’s me unlock my phone with my S4 that’s still on 6.2.8 and my 12 Pro Max is on 14.1.
 
I’m keeping my 12 Pro Max until next year. I have no issues with putting in my passcode to unlock my phone. I’m using a jailbreak tweak that let’s me unlock my phone with my S4 that’s still on 6.2.8 and my 12 Pro Max is on 14.1.
Have always missed touch id i think its overall a lot more efficient than face id
 
Have always missed touch id i think its overall a lot more efficient than face id

Overall, I love Face ID more. It’s more beneficial for me because of the job I have where I wear latex gloves and my hands are dry from the constant washing them throughout the day. I don’t have to wear latex gloves, but I do to protect myself and because mail and packages are filthy.
 
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Hate the notch so it's not too hard to resist buying a new iphone...I keep my phones for a very long time anyway.

So my trusty 6s will be here for at least 1 year, more likely 2 more years. Maybe by then Apple will have moved past having he notch.

PS. TouchID will be back by then too, I imagine..never really should have dropped it.
 
2009 - iPhone 3GS
2011 - iPhone 4S
2012 - iPhone 5
2013 - Galaxy Note 3
2015 - iPhone 6S Plus
2017 - iPhone 8 Plus
Sold the 8 Plus, it was bigger and heavier and a relative wanted it
2017 - iPhone X

I plan to have the X for another year and see how it holds up. So far so good.
 
My 12 Pro Max has been jailbroken, a little over a month now and I love the customizations so much, that I’m definitely keeping my phone for another year. Plus I love the Pacific Blue color, that I’m not ready to part from.
People still jailbreak their phones in 2021?

It was fun years ago, but with so many security issues nowadays + iOS implemented so many features that was the main reason why jailbreak worth it back in the day + many apps just don't work properly in jailbreak mode (even with their supposed "fix" tweaks) that its just not worth the trade-off for me anymore.

I think the only thing I'd done on a jailbroken device right now is put icons everywhere I want, and thats all lol.
 
People still jailbreak their phones in 2021?

It was fun years ago, but with so many security issues nowadays + iOS implemented so many features that was the main reason why jailbreak worth it back in the day + many apps just don't work properly in jailbreak mode (even with their supposed "fix" tweaks) that its just not worth the trade-off for me anymore.

I think the only thing I'd done on a jailbroken device right now is put icons everywhere I want, and thats all lol.

I wanted customization and to be able to unlock my phone while wearing a mask. My S4 is still on 6.2.8 and my Pro Max is on 14.1. Everything works the same as if I wasn’t jailbroken, and I only use reputable repos and tweaks. I haven’t had any security issues.
 
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